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– S.L.New York, NY

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Note your dreams upon waking, as the Moon in Virgo — doing its best to put everything in order after a nearly 24-hour bender in rip-roarin’ Leo — is opposed by nebulous Neptune, nevertheless. Further confusing efforts to sort truth from fiction is mental Mercury at a standstill…but turning direct at 10:58AM ET. Do make a conscious effort to slooooooooooooooooooow down and FOCUS before flying off the handle around that time, as the persnickety Moon meets up with assertive Mars at 10:05AM ET. Somebody somewhere is likely to snap around then — and we’ll likely see it in the headlines.

A notable display of confidence and resources is likely to become apparent around 5:24 PM ET, as the Moon meets up with expansive Jupiter and trines potent Pluto at 6:12PM ET — hmmm, markets are up this morning. Then it goes void of course with a long sigh, suggesting we head for the nearest Happy Hour. What happens between Friday evening and Sunday AM is anyone’s guess, as the void will continue until 4:46AM ET. It’s a dead Moon, too, i.e., little light, which is perfect for planning actions in secret. And here I am imagining any number of back-room meetings around Capitol Hill, as the plot thickens….

For us ordinary mortals, chill Friday night and Saturday. Like I said earlier this week, an organizational project around the house would be a fine use of the Virgo need to sort it all out. Avoid the malls during the void; what you buy is not likely to be something you really need. Avoid turning a molehill into a mountain of crisis, especially in matters relating to business, women, arts and finances. I say this because taskmaster Saturn will square Venus at 8:31PM ET on Saturday. Not the most suggestive pattern for a casual fling, and even the most familiar of partnerships may feel chilly…or at least require at attitude of gravitas. You’ll feel the weight of Saturn-Venus more personally if you have a planet or angle around the first few degrees of Sagittarius, Gemini, Virgo or Pisces. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), that includes you.

On Sunday, power and resources with stunningly disruptive consequences are suggested, as Jupiter makes an easy connection to Pluto and the Libra Sun is opposed by rebel Uranus. Again I find myself thinking of deals made in back rooms with closed doors. Sure, the Moon will be in relationship-oriented Libra, seeking to win that high school popularity contest and be seen as fair and diplomatic….but still.

On Monday, we’ll continue in the dark of the Moon — with no Moon void for those who must head to the office. A dead Moon is often accompanied by a sense of restlessness or listlessness, as we intuitively sense the arrival of something new — if only it would hurry up and get here. Regardless, we can expect a power play or emotional catharsis around 7:19AM ET, as the Moon is squared by Pluto…followed by a disruption to the status quo around 6:20PM ET, as the Moon is opposed by Uranus. That disruption in matters of relationship, backed by the powerful thrust of Jupiter trine Pluto sets the tone for the New Moon that will kick in at 8:06PM ET. Make your list of intentions a good one.

And now, the news.

Are we having fun following the drama in the U.S. Congress this week? I confess I am having fun writing about it, as it is so in synch with what was expected, given planetary patterns. Astrology is amazing!

In case you’ve been living under a rock for the past 24 hours, headlines are ablaze with the stunning news that the man who was supposedly a shoo-in to become the next Speaker of the House suddenly withdrew his name for consideration. Let the record show that we did expect the unexpected — and no consequences (!) — from a Congressional meeting that was scheduled to take place during 1) Mercury stationary direct; 2) a Moon void of course — suggesting upsets (!); 3) the backdrop of the Sun’s challenging contacts with Uranus and Pluto, not to mention a bewildering and scandalous Mars-Neptune opposition.

The meeting in question was disrupted by the man’s sudden announcement. So much for the meeting — it was cancelled. If you were a member of Congress and you knew something about astrology, you would not have been all that surprised.

The man in question is House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, whose disruptive Uranus transits were discussed here just over a week ago. What really prompted this surprise upset? Did McCarthy’s Benghazi “gaffe” do him in? Was it because Stephen Colbert followed Rachel Maddow’s lead and called attention to Mr. McCarthy’s bizarre usage of the English language — and CBS has many more viewers than Mr. Colbert’s former network, Comedy Central? Was it because Dick Cheney endorsed Mr. McCarthy’s Speaker bid — was that the kiss of death? Or was it the rumors that have apparently been circulating for months — about a possible extramarital affair? Could that be more of a kiss of death than the parallel Mr. McCarthy’s way with words has with Mr. Cheney’s former boss?

With Mercury retrograde, we reserve final judgement on the rumored affair, even though it does reflect the potential for excited and risky social expression/attractions we’d expect with a Uranus transit to Venus, which is one of the Uranus transits Mr. McCarthy is experiencing.

But what in Heaven’s name is going on with the Republican Party? Surely we must see this bewildering meltdown in its horoscope. If we accept July 6, 1854 at 1:01PM in Jackson, MI as its “birth data”, we do see considerable stress on key angles and planets in the chart now and into next year. I wish I had time to write it up now, but it will have to wait.

Update: Also on the Hill, there was yet another hearing about Planned Parenthood, in which it was admitted that in last week’s Moon void hearing on the same subject, nothing of consequence was found. Said Jason Chaffetz — whom you may remember from earlier this week:

“Did I look at the finances and have a hearing specifically as to the revenue portion and how they spend? Yes. Was there any wrongdoing? I didn’t find any,”

Let’s see…any other disruptions to report? Yes. Scientists say they have digitally recreated part of a rat’s brain. The mayor of Rome just resigned in a scandal...see? It’s not just us. Elsewhere, Governor John Kasich (R-OH), who has seemed to be such a decent, level-headed man in the last two Republican debates, disrupted that perception with patronizing remarks to college women at UVA. Sigh.

One of my classmates from my days at Wellesley who reads my forecast emailed to ask what planetary patterns suggested about Vladimir Putin “sending in ground troops despite denials, and today bombing Syria with missiles from 1000 miles away from the Caspian Sea”. I wrote briefly about Mr.Putin’s horoscope a few days ago, noting that it suggested efforts at considerable empowerment now through the end of the year. However, in a thirty-second glance at basic horoscope data (we do not have a confirmed birth time), transits to hit natal Saturn from Pluto suggest extreme efforts at the risk of considerable loss. Today a headline reads, “Russia Will Pay Price for Syrian Airstrikes, Say US Defense Secretary”. I can see how that could happen.

Finally, because it’s time for me to post — and for you to stop reading about astrology in world events and start considering how this awareness can benefit you personally — here are two cool, timely stories. Venus is changing signs and back where it was when it stationed retrograde — and now it’s making headlines as a possible NASA “next visit”. And check out these supercool pictures of Pluto that hit the wires on Tuesday’s Sun-Pluto square.

Thank you for reading this forecast. Thank you especially to those of you who share it with friends. Will be back later this weekend with a forecast for Monday’s New Moon….will try to write about whatever other candidates for Speaker of the House emerge, too.

What a difference a day makes. In your own personal world, did you notice the shift between the charging forward Moon in Aries and the comparatively calm, material comfort-oriented, “let’s not make any drastic changes” Moon in Taurus? The change happened at 2:57PM ET on Tuesday, and the Taurus Moon continues today. It goes void of course at 6:44AM ET on Thursday, and won’t shift into Gemini until 4:03PM ET. So if you must ship, get it off your desk today and focus on routine concerns during the Moon void portion of tomorrow.

A Taurus Moon facilitates our enjoyment of sensual pleasures: good food and drink, music and a snuggle with your sweetie. Indulge. Taurus also facilitates earthly concerns such as material security, organization and making tangible forms out of fiery ideas.

Today — right as I’m typing — we even have a brief Grand Trine happening, as the Taurus Moon makes harmonious connections between Mars-Jupiter in discerning Virgo and Pluto in status-seeking Capricorn. Grand Trines suggest self-sufficiency and an easy flow of energy that some label luck and/or abundance. Markets are up across the board this morning. Coincidence or conspiracy? Who remembers the easy flow we experienced during a much longer-lasting Earth Grand Trine in March of 2012?

When the Moon enters Gemini at 4:03PM ET on Thursday, the drive of the day becomes one of information-sharing and communication. Some of what is circulated around 5:53PM ET may be experienced as a wet blanket, as the Moon is opposed by controlling Saturn. An argument over details and perfection may well be part of your experience around 11:30PM, as the Gemini Moon is challenged by Mars (action) in Virgo.

Note your dreams upon waking on Friday, as the Moon makes contact with visionary Neptune at 4:56AM ET. The last day of the work week offers an easy flow of expression in the morning hours (ET), followed by an expansive, expensive or exuberant release around 11:06AM ET, as the Moon is challenged by Jupiter. Get the word out — but double check the details. Mercury is still retrograde!

Speaking of Mercury retrograde, it is an excellent time to finally screw up the courage to book that personal astrological consultation you’ve been contemplating for the past few months. You’ll learn where you are at now in the planetary cycles of life. Plus you’ll gain confidence, clarity and validation for whatever you’re wrestling with right now.

And now, the news.

Update: Kim Davis, whose horoscope suggests she’ll be feeling loved, loved, loved now and in the near-term future, went to Washington and met with Pope Francis, who reportedly advised her to “stay strong”. Ms. Davis also has a personal “above the law” Grand Trine. I wrote about her horoscope here and here.

Meanwhile, Ralph Lauren is stepping down as head of his empire. With transiting Uranus having made the first opposition to his Libra Sun, we would expect him to be seeking greater independence and freedom of expression through 2016. At his stage in life, we can appreciate why he would choose to lighten his load.

With John Boehner also stepping down, two names have been bandied about as potential successors. Kevin McCarthy is the current House Majority Leader. He’s also an Aquarius with Moon in either Sagittarius or Scorpio – we do not have a birth time & time does not permit me to labor over his potential exact horoscope. But how interesting to see that Rep. McCarthy has an Earth Grand Trine — among Jupiter, Uranus-Pluto in Virgo and an exact conjunction between Mercury-Venus in Capricorn.

How lucky is he? When he was 19, he won $5000 in a lottery and he used that cash to start a business. What’s notable in his horoscope now is that transiting Uranus is exactly square to his fiercely idealistic Mercury-Venus conjunction. When he speaks now, people take notice! Other measurements of note: one between Mars and Neptune suggesting pixie-dust, and another between the Sun and the Aries Point — this one gaining in strength over the next two years, suggesting prominence.

But what about Trey Gowdy? And what was he thinking when he chose that garish tie for his official portrait? “With my Moon in Aquarius, I need to be appreciated for being unique?” Rep. Gowdy was elected during the Venus retrograde in November 2010, when we were alerted to the higher probability of aesthetic choices made that would later prove regrettable. He is a Tea Party Republican, and currently chairs the House Select Committee on Benghazi, which perhaps explains why, of the 11 bills he’s sponsored in his Congressional career, one of them was to “prohibit Libyan nationals from engaging in aviation maintenance, flight operations, or nuclear-related studies or training inside the United States,” a top legislative priority for his South Carolina constituents, I’m sure.

Anyhoo. Turns out that yesterday’s buzz about his potential leadership expansion was a Moon-void much ado about nothing, even though it did reflect the windfall potential of transiting Jupiter to Gowdy’s Uranus. Interesting to note that like, Rep. McCarthy, he also has a self-sufficient, “law unto himself” Grand Trine — but in water signs: Venus-Mars in Cancer, Neptune in Scorpio and Chiron (the wounded healer) in Pisces.

Gowdy’s Venus-Mars conjunction at 14-15 Cancer has been supercharged by Uranus and Pluto over the past couple of years, and focused on matters of homeland security, perhaps most visibly in the form of Benghazi. The shock value and disruptive potential Uranus might have added has passed, but Pluto’s power and persuasiveness will continue to amplify Gowdy’s social expression (Venus) and actions (Mars) through November 2016. Currently, transiting Saturn to his Sun and possibly his Moon suggests ambition or advance, but one which is streamlined and focused, not necessarily expansive. He’s staying put and staying focused.

Now there are rumors that Rep. Gowdy may leave Congress in 2016. They are unconfirmed, but they are being published anyway. I bring this to your attention because during Mercury retrograde, we note a higher probability of rumors garnering attention. Thus we are advised to slow down and VERIFY before rushing to conclusions….

…which has made writing this forecast today particularly challenging. For some reason I opted to write about the potential candidates for a new Speaker of the House, and this story just won’t stand still. Now Kevin McCarthy has — as anticipated — said something disruptive in an interview this morning — and certain people are howling that what Mr. McCarthy did was admit to what seems screamingly obvious to Those Howling: that the true purpose of the Benghazi committee –established in May of 2014 — was to derail Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, spending millions at taxpayer expense.

With regard to Hillary Clinton’s campaign, we do not have an exact birth time and thus can’t be sure of her horoscope. There are two in circulation — one at 8:02AM and another after 8PM. Astrologers disagree about which one is correct. Regardless, in both horoscopes under consideration, significant disruptions to the status quo impacting public status are strongly suggested in March and September.

The House will vote on a new Speaker next Thursday. If it happens before 3:50PM ET, the Moon will be void. Regardless, Mercury will be stationary direct (it moves forward on Friday, October 9th). Sounds like politics as usual.

I’m throwing in the towel for the day. Out of curiosity, I searched my archives to see if I’d tagged anything else about Benghazi in past forecasts. I found one reference — curiously written on another day with a Grand Trine. Remind me not to write about anything remotely involving this morass ever again.